The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe celebrated the annual Ofala festival this year in the most glamorous style.
The added glamour which included Ofala Music Concert, crowning of the most beautiful girl in Onitsha as Miss Ofala 2017 and a royal banquet in honour of Igwe Achebe, would remain fresh in the annals of history and evergreen in the minds of the participants.
The two-day fiesta showcased the rich and beautiful cultural heritage of Onitsha. The festival was attended by eminent personalities that includes the attendance of Obi of Iselle Uku amongst other royal fathers, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State and Chief Osita Chidoka of UPP, Tony Nwoye of APC , Dubem Obaze of PDP were not left out the use the opportunity to pay allegiance to the Obi of Onitsha and to receive royal blessings for the forth coming gubernatorial election on the Nov. 18th 2017. The second day which was Azu Ofala Ooni of Ife Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja was received on arrival by Achebe (Agbogidi) himself at the revered Ime Obi Palace, Onitsha where they exchanged pleasantries and had tete-a-tete.
The 16th Ofala festival was sponsored by Glo telecommunications network, Achebe and his cabinet members, which included the Onowu, Ogene Onira, the Ede Gbogbogaga, Eseagba, and other titled ones, danced to the rhythm of Ota music in the order of seniority.
In his remarks, Igwe Achebe called on majority of Nigerians to restructure the country in a way that will suit all ethnic nationalities. Igwe Achebe also stated that the only solution to the country’s socio-economic and political problem was to restructure the country in such a way that would chart a new course for enduring peace, unity and stability of Nigeria.
He also renewed his call on the Federal Government to commence without further delay, the second Niger bridge project as well as either open up business in the Onitsha seaport of final destination or declare it a disaster area.
According to Igwe Achebe, “I thank God for seeing us through to yet another year and I commend the state government, security agencies and other stakeholders in this area for sustaining the peace and the tempo on the security network across the zone.
“I want to use this opportunity to appeal to the Federal Government to embrace dialogue as the only means to end ethnic violence and agitations by ensuring equity and justice in the polity.”
In his remark at the occasion, Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State thanked the Obi and Onitsha-Ado kingdom for sustaining the Igbo tradition, culture and customs and by extension, raising the standard.
Obiano commended the Onitsha community for their support to his administration and reassured them of his commitment to the safety, peace and development of the state, pointing out that Anambra State has remained the safest state in the country irrespective of little challenges occasioned by political opposition and quest by some overzealous political opponents to create a state of insecurity in the state.
“I want to assure you that this government will do everything within her powers to protect the lives and property of her citizens. We have no other state to go and I am duty bound to ensure that the suffering of Anambra people is reduced to the minimum through good governance.”
Also speaking, former Minister of Aviation and Governorship candidate of UPP, Chief Osita Chidoka, praised Onitsha people for their rich culture and tradition and described Igwe Achebe as an embodiment of distinction, grace and courage that ndi Igbo are famed for.
According to Chidoka, “It is always an honour to visit and sit in the presence of such a distinguished royal father whom I have continued to draw inspiration from”
InlandTown! 2017.
